Sound reproducing apparatus



June 16, 1931. F. H. OWENS 1,810,324

SOUND REPRODUC ING APPARATUS Filed June 18, 1929 I l a IN VE N TOR. fkzzrmzv f2. Owns.

Patented June 16, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE H. OWENS, NEW YORK, N. Y., POBATION, OF NEW. YORK, N. Y.,

ASSIGNOR TO OWENS DEVELOPMENT COB- A CORPORATION 01' NEW YORK scum) nnrnonncme arranarvs Application flied June 18,

5 in the provision of means whereby a plurality of photographic sound records on a sinle strip of film, can be selectively reproduced, and the selection of the records for reproduction manually or automatically controlled by the movement of the film.

Another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus by means of which a pair of spaced photographic sound records on a single film, said records being of sounds having the same or varying frequency ranges, can be selectively reproduced alternately, the selection or shifting from one record to the other being manually or automatically controlled by the movement of the film.

Still another object of my invention lies in the provision of means of the character above described in combination with means for controlling the frequency ranges of the record being reproduced.

A still further object of my invention contemplates the provision of, an optical unit for the reproduction of spaced sound records on a single film by means of which the same unit is utilized for the reproduction of either of said records, depending upon the selection thereof, by the selecting or adjustable apparatus included as a part of my invention.

Other objects and advantages in details of construction and arrangement of parts will be apparent as the description proceeds, reference now being had to the figures of the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of my apparatus, certain parts being shown in section for clearness of illustration.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the automatic control or selector device used in my invention.

It is well known in the art of sound recording and reproduction, that certain 1929. Serial No. 371,811.

For example, the voice sounds have a much more limited range of frequency than do the sounds emitted for instance from a number of musical instruments making up an orchestra or band. Likewise, certain individual instruments such as a violin, have frequency ranges widely differing from the frequency range of wind instruments such as the comet,

trombone, etc.

In the making up of a recorded photographic sound record to accompany and to be reproduced in synchrom'sm with a motion plcture, a great variety of sounds are naturally recorded to correlate with the picture,

images.

In the recording of these various sounds the recording apparatus may be set to record a range of frequency which is large enough to include all of the sound frequencies which may be utilized in making up the composite sound record. The result is that for instance in the case of recording voice or talking sounds, there is also recorded with such voice, certain other sounds or noises of a frequency outside the frequency range of the voice sound.

It is therefore desirable to eliminate if possible in the reproduction of the voice sounds, those other sounds or noises which have been recorded but which interfere with the quality reproduction of the voice sounds.

I have provided a novel means for accomplishing this result and have also provided for the manual and/or automatic control thereof, that is, the change in the reproduction from one range of frequency to another, inorder that the resultant reproduced sound record will give to the recorded sounds the full value required by way of frequency rangeand no more.

The reference numeral 1 refers to a motion picture film upon which has been recorded in spaced relation'two sound records 2 and 3 which may be of identical subject matter.

For the purpose of an explanation of this invention, we will assume that the sound records 2 and 3 are identical and have been recordedor printed in the spaced relation shown on the film 1. As will be hereinafter pointed out, these records may be different,

i. e., for instance, one for a voice and one for music.

For the purpose of re producing sound records 2 and 3, perhaps but not necessarily in synchronisni with a motion picture, there is provided a sound reproducing means consisting of an optical unit including a tubu lar housing 4 within one end of which may be adjust-ably secured, as by the sleeve 5, a condenser lens system 6, and a partition 7 in which is an elongated narrow slit 8 adapted to receive and pass the focused light rays from a lamp 9. The illuminated aerial image of the slit 8 is divided by focusing lenses 10 and 11 mounted adjacent the end of the tube 4 opposite the condenser lenses and the divided illuminated slit images are focused by means of these lenses 10 and 11 upon the sound records 2 and 3 respectively on the film 1. The film 1 may be moved in any suitable manner through a gate 12 which supports the film in proper position with respect to the optical unit and which is provided with an opening 13 to permit the passage of the light beams through the sound records 2 and 3.

Light sensitive elements such as the photo electric cells 14 and 15 are disposed behind the sound records 2and 3 respectively in position to receive the modulated light rays passing through such sound records. The function of these photo electric cells is of course, to translate the modulated light waves to electric impulses which may be amplified by a suitable amplifier 16 and rendered andible by a loud speaker device 17.

In order that the reproduction of the sound records 2 and 3 may be controlled as to frequency range, I have provided in the circuits between the photo electric cells and the loud speaker device, frequency filters 18 and 19 through which the translated and sound modulated electric impulses must pass. These filters may be set to pass only impulses of certain predetermined frequencies and thus eliminate and prevent the passage of extraneous and undesirable frequencies which if rendered audible would detract from the quality and accuracy of the reproduction of the particular sounds which it is desired to reproduce.

Assuming that the sound records 2 and 3 are identical and that at various intervals throughout their lengths they represent alternately voice sounds and music sounds. In the reproduction of these records therefore, it is desirable that when voice sounds are being reproduced all recorded frequencies outside of the voice frequency range be filtered out by means of one of the filters 18 or 19. Likewise when music is being reproduced it is necessary and desirable that the frequencies within the range of the particular sounds recorded be permitted to pass, and that frequencies outside of the range of such sounds be filtered out. At such points in the reproduction of the records therefore, it is desirable to use the other sound record for reproduction and the other filter which is located in the circuit for that sound record.

I am able to selectively change from one sound record to the other during the reproduction thereof whereby for instance, when voice is reproduced the sound redord 2 and the photo electric cell 1:3 and the filter 19 will be used; and when music is being reproduced the sound record 3 and the photo electric cell 14 and the filter 18 will be utilized.

This selecting means con'iprises a disc shutter 20 suitably rotatably mounted upon a spindle or shaft 21 and provided with an outer circular row or series of openings 22, and a spaced inner concentric row of openings 23. The disc shutter 21 is so positioned with respect to the sound records 2-and 3 on the film 1, that it overlies such records in position to intercept or pass light rays from the lenses 10 and 11 to such records. It will be understood of course, that if desired, the shutter may be positioned at any suitable point between the divided images of the slit 8, and the photo electric cells 14 and 15.

It will be noted with reference to Figure 2, that the openings 23 in the disc shutter are so spaced relatively to the openings 22 in the shutter, that when the light from the lens 10 for instance, is permitted to pass through one of said openings 23, to the sound record 2 and photo electric cell 14, the shutter intercepts and prevents the passage of the light from the lens 11 to the sound record 3 and photo electric cell 15. Also when the disc shutter is rotated one step, an opening 22 is brought into registry with the light beam from lens 11 permitting such light beam to pass through the sound record 3 to the photo electric cell 15 and in such position, the shutter intercepts the light from the lens 10 and prevents its passage to the sound record 2 and the photo electric cell 14. Thus the disc shutter provides a means for alternately permitting the passage of the light first through one sound record to its ph to electric cell and then through the other sound record to its Iphoto electric cell.

t will be noted that the openings 22 and 23 in the disc shutter are of such shape that as one opening passes into full central registry with the light beam, the corresponding opening in the other row simultaneously passes out of registry with its appropriate light beam. This produces a dissolving efiect where by change in reproduction from one sound record to the other is not noticeable in the reproduced audible sound. The rotation of the shutter may be manual or automatic.

In order that this change can be effected automatically and controlled by the film itself, the film may be provided along one edge with notches 24 positioned at the proper points on the film with respect to the sound records at which points it is desired to change from one record to the other, i. e., from voice to music or from music to voice, thus utilizing the benefits of the dual circuits with the filters set for the appropriate sound frequencies. An arm 25 may be pivoted as at 26 and provided at one end with a roller 27 adapted to ride upon one edge of the film 1 and into the notches 24 as they are moved along with the film. The opposite end of the lever 25 .is provided with a contact member 28, adapted when the roller 27 rides into a a notch 24, to engage a stationary contact member 29 thus closing a circuit to a solenoid 30, the armature of which is'provided with a pawl 31 engaging with the teeth 32 on the periphery of the disc shutter 21. It will be clear that when the contacts 28 and 29 are engaged, the circuit will be closed to the solenoid 30 energizing the same whereupon the pawl 31 is drawn downwards to rotate the shutter 21 one step, thereby moving for instance, one of. the openings 22 out of reg-' istry with the path of light from the lens 11 and simultaneously moving one of the openings 23 into registr with the path of light from the lens 10. bviously, when the next notch 24 reaches the roller 27 the same operation occurs and the disc shutter rotates another step thus moving the openings 23 out of registry with its beam of light and an opening 22 into registry with its beam of light. Thus, the use of the circuits with the filters 18 and 19 is alternated depending upon the subject matter of the sound record to be reproduced.

A spring catch 33 may be provided to retain the disc shutter 21 in each position of registry with one of the light beams.

It will be understood of course that if desired the sound records 2 and 3 instead of being identical, may be so arranged on the film 1 by printing or recording, that one sound is for voice only and the other for music, and in the reproduction thereof the shutter serves to change from one to the other alternately as they appear at the reproducing station for translation and reproduction.

it will thus be seen that I have provided a means whereby reproduction of a sound record or records made up of sounds of varying frequency ranges is selectively controlled, either manually or automatically, whereby to reproduce such sounds with full value and with the elimination of sound frequencies foreign to and detrimental to the particular sound being reproduced.

Of course, changes may be made in details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I do not limit myself therefore to the exact form herein shown and described other than by the appended claims.

I claim: 7

1. A sound reproducing apparatuscomprising means for supporting a traveling film having a plurality of sound records thereon, means for illuminating said records, means for translating and renderin audible said records including light sensitive devices, an amplifier, loud speaker and frequency filters in the circuits between said light sensitive devices and said loud speaker, and rotatable means between said illuminating means and said light sensitive devices and having alternately disposed openings for selectively controlling the passage of light to said light sensitive elements.

2. A sound reproducing'apparatus comprising means for supporting a traveling film having a pair of sound records thereon, means for illuminating said records,

means for translating and rendering audible said records including a pair of light sensitive devices, an amplifier, a loud speaker and frequency filters in the circuits betweensaid light sensitive devices and said loud speaker, and rotatable shutter means interposed between said illuminatin means and said light sensitive devices an having alternately disposed openings for permittin the alternate passage of light through said records.

3. A sound reproducing apparatus comprising means for supporting a traveling film having a pair of sound records thereon, means for illuminating said records, means for translating and rendering audible said records including a pair of light sensitive devices, an amplifier, a loud speaker and frequency filters in the circuits between said light sensitive devices and said loud speaker, and means interposed between said illumihating means and said light sensitive de vices or permitting the alternate passage of light through said records, said means comprising a rotary shutter provided with alternately spaced openings alternately registrable with said record'in the path of light.

4. A sound reproducing apparatus comprising means for supporting a traveling film having a pair of sound records thereon, means for illuminating said records, means for translating and rendering audible said records including a pair of light sensitive devices, an amplifier, a loud speaker and frequency filters in the circuits between said light sensitive devices and said loud speaker, and means interposed between said illuminating means and said light sensitive devices for permitting the alternate passage of light through said records, said means comprising a rotary shutter provided with alternatel spaced openings alternately re istrable wit said records in the path of lig t, said openings being so disposed and of such form that movement of said shutter causes moverecord simultaneously with the movement of another'opening out of registry with the other record.

5. A sound reproducing apparatus com- B orising means for supporting a traveling 1111 having a pair of sound records thereon, means for illuminating said records, means for translating and rendering audible said records including a pair of light sensitive m devices, an amplifier, a loud speaker and frequency filters in the circuits between said light sensitive devices and said loud speaker and means interposed between said iliurninating means and said light sensitive devices for permitting" the a ternate passage of light through said records said means comprising a shutter provided with openings alternately registrable with said records in the path of light, and lneens actuated by the traveling film at predetermined intervals to operate seid shutter.

In testimony whereof, I aifix my signature FREEMAN H. OWENS. 

